Page 62 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Deadnettle (Henbit), Lamium

amplexicaule (LAMIACEAE)

HENBIT DEADNETTLE or Greater Henbit has multiple
square stems growing from a taproot to 6-18 inches (15-
45 cm) tall. It is purplish near the bottom and greenish
at the top, spreading in all directions. It grows in waste
ground, meadows, and fields throughout North Ameri-
ca and even into the artic circle. It is odorless and does
not smell minty, even though it is in the mint family.
FLOWER: For herb flowers, the flowers are relatively
large and form on terminal spikes in sparse whorls at
the leaf axils. Flowers are pink to purple and ½-¾ inch
(1.3-2 cm) long. They form a fused tubular flower.
the plant is in flower, upper parts can be harvested.
LEAF: Finely haired leaves are opposite and ¾-1¼ inch They have a slightly sweet peppery flavor and can
(2-3 cm) long. Lower leaves have stalks, while upper be added to salads, used as a garnish, or cooked as a
leaves are stalkless, fused, and clasp the stems. Leaves green vegetable.
are kidney/fan-shaped with rounded scalloped teeth.
CREAMED HENBIT: Mix ¾ cups of plain yogurt,
EDIBLE PARTS: leaves, stem, and flowers
salt, pepper, 1 tsp. onion powder, and ½ tsp. gar-
KEY MEDICINAL USES: May aid wound healing, reduce lic powder. Set aside for at least 1 h. Harvest 3-4
fever and pain, and is anti-inflammatory. cups of young shoots, stems, and leaves, rinse,
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Harvest young shoots, and chop. Cover with water and boil for 10 min.
stems, and leaves in spring and use as a cooked green, Drain. Stir in yogurt mixture and serve warm.
or add raw to salads. In late spring-early summer when

Deadnettle (Purple/Red), Lamium

purpureum (LAMIACEAE)

PURPLE DEADNETTLE or Purple Archangel is a mem-
ber of the mint family, but does not smell minty. It grows
8 inches (20 cm) tall and can easily be found in mead-
ows and roadsides in dense patches.
FLOWER: Whorled around the square stem is a cluster
of small, funnel-shaped, purple flowers that are ½ inch
(13 cm) long. Each flower has 4 stamens and the 2 pet-
als look like an upper and lower lip, with the lower lip
having 3 lobes.
LEAF: The leaves gradually change from green at the
bottom of the plant to purple towards the top. They are salads, brewed in a tea, cooked in meals or added to
roughly heart-shaped with a pointy leaf tip and about juices and smoothies.
1½ inch (4 cm) long. The stalked leaves grow in pairs
PURPLE DEADNETTLE SMOOTHIE: Ingredients: ½
opposite each other along the stem. It is described as a
cup fresh deadnettle leaves, ¼ cup chopped pineap-
‘dead’ nettle because the hairs that are present on the
ple, ½ cup milk, 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream. Com-
leaves and stems do not sting.
bine all in a blender.
EDIBLE PARTS: leaves and stems
POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: European Pennyroy-
KEY MEDICINAL USES: It has anti-inflammatory and al, Mentha pulegium could be mistaken for purple
anti-microbial properties. dead nettle only in early stages. Deadnettle is eas-

HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Leaves can be harvested ily distinguishable by the purple tinged leaves at
when young and eaten like other mint species: raw in the top.

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